My 1995 Small Farm.

The following day, Hong Kong Island enjoyed a rare good day.

Not only was the weather sunny, but it wasn't too muggy either, and it was very cool when I woke up in the morning.

Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, casting warm but not scorching rays; a gentle sea breeze carried a hint of freshness in the air.

I heard this is a sign that another rainstorm is coming.

Chen Ling didn't care about any of that.

In the courtyard of the hillside villa, the children got up early. Rui Rui was building a house with great effort, while Wang Zhenzhen was using a slingshot to drive away the monkeys.

There are indeed a lot of monkeys here.

They are more common than those near Chenwangzhuang.

Little Iron Egg and the crab-eating mongoose, whose injuries were gradually healing, also played around with Wang Zhenzhen.

Little Iron Egg kept barking at the monkeys.

Chen Ling got up very early and was in a good mood.

He was preoccupied with the hawksbill turtle he had brought back yesterday and the condition of the "problem fish" in the cave, and he was also thinking about setting up the large fish tank at home as soon as possible, as a window and cover for the "real world" of the cave fish.

In the morning, he declined Wang Susu and Liu Yinhuan's suggestion to go shopping and went up to the second floor of his new home alone.

A small two-and-a-half-story room protruding from the roof.

He planned this space as his workspace and future "aquarium viewing area".

He spent the entire morning carefully cleaning, installing, and adjusting the custom-made large ecological fish tank.

Filtration system, temperature control equipment, lighting and landscaping... everything was taken care of one by one.

Although the weather on Hong Kong Island is hot and humid, the rooftop is well-ventilated and not stuffy.

After finishing all that, he went out for a while.

While ostensibly buying fish, the real purpose was to carefully move some rapidly breeding, particularly vibrant-colored fighting fish out of the cave.

There were also several lively local anchovies, as well as some lovely green aquatic plants collected from the Dongtian waters.

He didn't immediately put in the high-value arowanas and koi that were recovering; he planned to quietly sell them himself.

Watching the colorful fish swimming leisurely in the clear water, and the water plants swaying with the waves, Chen Ling nodded in satisfaction.

This fish tank not only beautifies the home environment, but also acts as an "incubator".

In the future, the finest ornamental fish produced in the cave will be able to be displayed openly and legitimately through this opportunity.

In the afternoon, Chen Ling called Zhang Lihua.

"Brother Hua, it's me, Ah Ling."

"Ah Ling! I was just looking for you!"

Zhang Lihua's voice boomed from the other end of the phone: "How's it going? Are you settled into your new home? Don't hesitate to ask if you need any help!"

"Everything is settled, thank you for your concern, Brother Hua."

Chen Ling smiled and said, "I called to ask about what I mentioned to you last time, about finding a guide familiar with the mountains and forests of Hong Kong Island to go hiking. Is there any progress?"

"Haha, what a coincidence! That's exactly what I was about to tell you!"

Zhang Lihua said excitedly, "I've found someone for you. He's a relative of an old friend of mine, surnamed Zhou. We all call him 'Uncle Zhou.' He worked for the Hong Kong government's Agriculture and Forestry Department before he retired."

"I've been traveling around the mountains of Hong Kong Island for decades. I know the mountains, rivers, flowers, birds, insects and fish here as well as my own backyard!"

"Moreover, the old man is in good health and loves to go into the mountains. When he heard that someone was interested in the mountains and forests of Hong Kong Island, especially a young and promising man like you from the mainland, he agreed without hesitation!"

"However, the other two haven't been very free lately; I heard they went out to sea..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling was overjoyed: "It's alright, one is enough. Thank you so much, Brother Hua! When is a convenient time for Uncle Zhou?"

"Zhou Bo is a free man, he's available anytime!"

Zhang Lihua said, "As for you, what's your schedule? The weather looks pretty good these next couple of days!"

Chen Ling thought for a moment. The matters in Shenzhen were settled, Sun Yanhong was managing the shop perfectly, and things at home were almost settled. It was a good opportunity to go into the mountains while the weather was nice: "Okay! Let's set it for tomorrow! Shall we leave early in the morning?"

"no problem!"

Zhang Lihua replied, then said with a hint of pleading, "Ah Ling, um... if we go into the mountains tomorrow, can I come along and join in the fun? To be honest, I've been in Hong Kong for so many years, just doing business and raising dogs, and I've never really had a proper chance to explore the mountains here. I'd like to go with you and broaden my horizons!"

Chen Ling laughed heartily: "Brother Hua, of course you're welcome! The more the merrier! We can keep each other company!"

"That's great! I'll drive to pick you and Uncle Zhou up first thing tomorrow morning!" Zhang Lihua said happily.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ling was filled with anticipation for tomorrow's itinerary.

What natural treasures are hidden behind the vast country parks and undeveloped forests on the other side of Hong Kong Island, this international metropolis?
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhang Lihua drove a decent SUV, carrying a sprightly old man dressed in smart hiking clothes and carrying an old backpack, to Chen Ling's villa on the hillside.

"Ah Ling, this is Uncle Zhou!"

Zhang Lihua explained.

Zhou Bo was around sixty years old. His skin was a bronze color from long-term outdoor activities, and his face was etched with wrinkles, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and intelligent, exuding gentleness and wisdom.

He smiled and extended his hand to Chen Ling: "Mr. Chen, I've heard so much about you! I heard that you not only run a big business, but you're also the king of hunters in the Qinling Mountains of the mainland, capable of hunting leopards and wiping out wolf packs!"

"Uncle Zhou, you're too kind. Just call me A-Ling."

Chen Ling quickly stepped forward to shake hands, feeling the other person's rough and strong palm: "What Hunter King or not, I just grew up running around in the mountains and like these flowers, plants, birds and beasts."

"We'll have to rely on you a lot for this trip into the mountains, you're our 'living map'."

"Haha, no problem at all! Hong Kong Island is such a tiny place, I can walk around these mountains with my eyes closed, I dare not say anything else!"

Zhou Bo laughed heartily, showing great appreciation for Chen Ling's humility.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Ling picked up the backpack he had prepared, which contained some water, dry food, a first-aid kit, as well as his usual small shovel, collection bag, and some empty boxes.

If you encounter any interesting plants or small animals, you can bring them back for research.

The three then got into the car and set off.

Zhang Lihua drove along the winding mountain road, leaving the bustling city center and heading towards Lantau Island.

Zhou Bo sat in the passenger seat, introducing the changes in landforms and vegetation along the way as if they were his own treasures.

"Hong Kong Island may be small, but its climate is quite interesting."

"Because of the ocean's influence, the climate is warm and humid, so the flowers, trees, and plants in the mountains and forests are quite unique, and the fruits are also excellent..."

"There are definitely a lot of monkeys in these mountains, mainly the common macaques. They're not afraid of people, and sometimes they can be quite annoying..."

"There are quite a few wild boars, but they usually avoid people."

"The birdlife is abundant, with various forest birds and water birds, many of which are important habitats for migratory birds..."

Chen Ling listened attentively, asking questions from time to time, and had a very pleasant conversation with Uncle Zhou.

Although Zhang Lihua didn't say much, she listened with great interest.

About an hour later, the car arrived at a relatively secluded trailhead on Lantau Island.

This place has long since moved away from tourist hotspots, leaving only the footprints of some foreign hiking enthusiasts who live here.

After parking the car, the three of them shouldered their bags and officially began their mountain adventure.

Upon entering the forest, the air immediately becomes fresh and moist. Tall trees and dense shrubs surround you, and birdsong rises and falls, creating a world completely different from the hustle and bustle of the city.

As expected, Uncle Zhou lived up to his reputation. He walked steadily and had an excellent sense of direction, leading the two through the forest, where there were no obvious paths, as if walking on flat ground. "This way, the vegetation is better preserved here, and fewer people come here."

Uncle Zhou gestured.

After walking for about half an hour, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a valley with relatively flat terrain and abundant water and grass.

Right there in this valley, a scene that surprised Chen Ling came into view.

There were more than a dozen large cows scattered in twos and threes on the grassland.

Some cows were grazing leisurely with their heads down, some were lying down and ruminating, and several calves were playing around their mothers.

These cattle look different from ordinary domesticated yellow cattle and water buffalo, with a mixed coat color, mainly brown and gray-black.

His physique appeared more robust, and his eyes held a hint of wild, untamed alertness.

Wow! So many bison!

Zhang Lihua gasped in surprise, instinctively slowing her pace. "Uncle Zhou, is...is this safe?"

Uncle Zhou smiled and waved his hand, indicating that they didn't need to be nervous: "Don't worry, these guys look intimidating, but they are actually very docile. If you don't provoke them, they won't bother with you."

“These are all ‘wild’ cattle, not true wild breeds.”

"Wild cattle?"

Chen Ling's sharp eyes swept across the herd of cattle, lingering for a moment on several large-boned, beautifully horned water buffaloes.

Although these cows look dirty, they are actually in pretty good shape.

"correct."

Uncle Zhou sighed, his tone tinged with emotion: "These were all around the 1970s, when Hong Kong Island's urbanization accelerated, many rural areas were demolished, farmland was abandoned, and farmers moved into the city. The oxen and water buffaloes they couldn't take with them were left behind in the mountains."

"Over the decades, these cattle have reproduced and found their own food in the mountains, and gradually formed the wild population we see today."

“They can be found in some country parks on Lantau Island, Lamma Island, and Hong Kong Island.”

"It's a tragedy, really. They were all the darlings of the farm back then, but when they got old and couldn't work anymore, they were just thrown into the mountains to fend for themselves."

"However, these cattle are also very resilient and have managed to survive, even forming a sizable herd."

Zhang Lihua clicked her tongue: "My goodness, there's such a story behind it. So, these people can also be considered 'witnesses to history'?"

"You could say that."

Uncle Zhou nodded: "The Agriculture and Forestry Department has also discussed how to manage them. If there are too many of them, they will sometimes damage the vegetation or have some minor conflicts with people. But since they are not really invasive species, it is quite tricky to deal with them. The main approach is to observe and manage them appropriately."

Chen Ling listened quietly, but his mind raced.

Wild cattle herd...unmanaged...good foundation...

This is like a treasure fallen from the sky!
He is worried that finding suitable mates for his young blue horse and white calf will be difficult and costly.

These wild cattle may look destitute, but they are individuals that have survived natural selection in the wild. Their disease resistance, adaptability, and genetics are probably superior to many domesticated breeds of cattle.

Especially those water buffalo, with their magnificent skeletons and sturdy limbs. If we could bring them back, and with the nourishment of the spiritual water of the cave and scientific breeding, the offspring they would produce would definitely be exceptional.

More importantly, these cattle are currently "ownerless," making them extremely cheap to acquire.

For Chen Ling, who is planning to build a large-scale farm and develop specialized breeding, this is undoubtedly a huge treasure.

"Uncle Zhou..."

Suppressing his excitement, Chen Ling asked in a calm tone, "Regarding these wild cattle, if... if someone wanted to capture a small number, for example, for research or to attempt domestication, is that permitted by policy? Are the procedures complicated?"

Zhou Bo glanced at Chen Ling with some surprise, seemingly not expecting him to be interested in these "wild buffalo." He pondered for a moment and said, "Strictly speaking, these cattle are unclaimed, but since they are within the boundaries of a suburban park, they cannot be captured at will."

"but……"

He paused, then lowered his voice: "If it's for scientific or ecological research, applying for special approval from the Agriculture and Forestry Agency isn't entirely impossible if the quantity isn't large."

"After all, the large number of cattle does pose a management problem. If someone is willing to take over and study how to make reasonable use of or control the population, the higher-ups will sometimes turn a blind eye."

"The key is to find the right reason and the right person to contact."

Chen Ling understood.

This means there is room for maneuver.

It seems I'll have to ask Liang Yuemin or Zhang Lihua to help me find out how to get involved in this area.

You don't need many; just legally acquiring a few of the best breeding cattle would be a huge success.

"Ah Ling, are you interested in these bison?"

Zhang Lihua asked curiously, "Are you planning to take them back and raise them? These guys are used to being wild; I'm afraid they'll be hard to tame?"

Chen Ling smiled and said vaguely, "I just think that they must have something special about them to be able to survive in the wild, and I want to know more about them."

"Taming is something that can be done by human effort; there's always a way."

He didn't say much, but he had already listed "introducing wild cattle breeds from Hong Kong Island" as one of the important plans for the next step.

The three bypassed the herd of cattle and continued deeper into the mountains and forests.

As expected of an old hand in the mountains, Uncle Zhou pointed out various plants to Chen Ling along the way, explaining what kind of tree this was, what kind of grass that was, what its characteristics were, which were endemic species, and which were invasive species...

It broadened Chen Ling's horizons and he gained a lot.

He also discovered many useful herbs, some of which were of even better quality than those he had seen in the mainland, and carefully collected some samples.

Although Zhang Lihua doesn't know much about plants, she is very interested in the occasional wild rabbit darting by and the squirrels in the trees, taking pictures non-stop like a primary school student on a spring outing.

Along the way, they indeed encountered several groups of macaques.

These monkeys were indeed unafraid of people. They squatted on the trees by the roadside, staring longingly at passersby. Some of the bolder ones even tried to approach and beg for food, only to be sternly reprimanded by Uncle Zhou and retreat in a huff.

"Never feed them!"

Uncle Zhou solemnly warned: "These monkeys also exist in city parks, traveling in groups and harassing visitors. If you get used to feeding them, they will become attached to tourists, snatching things, rummaging through bags, and even attacking people. It's very troublesome!"

Chen Ling and Zhang Lihua both nodded and took notes.

The deeper you go, the taller and greener the trees become, with vines entwining them, creating a scene full of tropical and subtropical rainforest charm.

The air was more humid, and there was a thick layer of fallen leaves underfoot.

Chen Ling even found several clumps of Dendrobium nobile growing very well on a damp rock wall. This is a precious Chinese medicinal herb.

He carefully collected some, intending to take them back to the cave to cultivate.

This trip to the mountains was incredibly rewarding.

"Huh? Holy crap, what's that water buffalo over there? It's huge..."

When they returned, Chen Ling and the other two were about to relieve themselves on the mountainside when they suddenly saw a large water buffalo, even bigger and stronger than the previous one, among the herd of cattle in the valley below.

It looks majestic and imposing, and extremely frightening.

"Wow, such a big bison is a rare sight. Where did it come from? Could it be the king of bison?"

Uncle Zhou glanced in that direction and was immediately taken aback.

Zhang Lihua gasped, carefully comparing it to the other buffalo in the herd, and exclaimed, "This isn't just a king of buffaloes; it's so much bigger than ordinary water buffaloes, it's practically a bull demon king!"

"Shh, don't talk nonsense. Don't let it come out because it sensed us approaching. It's said that these wild creatures have developed a sense of territory after being feral for so many years."

Uncle Zhou said cautiously. (End of Chapter)